As summer comes to a close and children prepare to head back to school, it’s a good time to reflect on the experiences that made the past few months special. For many children, summer camp is a chance to spend time in a beautiful natural setting, breathing fresh air and stepping outside their usual routines. It’s a chance to meet new people and discover interests they may not have encountered during the school year.
Research from the American Camp Association highlights just how meaningful these experiences can be. In a national study of more than 5,000 families from 92 camps, 70% of parents reported that their child gained self-confidence at camp, 63% continued to participate in activities learned at camp, and 96% said camp helped them make new friends.
Lend A Hand Society’s campership program helps make these experiences accessible to children and teens who might otherwise be unable to attend. This summer, our grants supported six outstanding programs: Cambridge Camping Association, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Housing Families, Phillips Brooks House, United South End Settlements, and The Farm School.
One of the programs just wrapped up and reported: “We welcomed nearly 200 youth onto the land. On the farm, youth engaged in meaningful work that feeds our connected communities. They’re milking cows, harvesting vegetables, collecting eggs, working at our sawmill, cooking in the kitchen, and finding delight in an orchard hammock or a hike through our woods.”
We are deeply grateful to the donors and supporters whose generosity made this year’s Camperships possible. Your support helped give children a summer filled with opportunities and memories they can carry with them into the new school year.